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A new Senate seat in south-central Oklahoma draws candidates focused on rural-conservative values

In what is essentially a new Senate seat in south-central Oklahoma, created by the new redistricting that moved it out of Oklahoma County, two first-time politicians — Corey Brooks and Mike Fullerton — will face off on Nov. 6 in the general election.

BY MEGAN ROLLAND mrolland@opubco.com •
Published: October 28, 2012

In what is essentially a new Senate seat in south-central Oklahoma, created by the new redistricting that moved it out of Oklahoma County, two first-time politicians will face off in the Nov. 6 election.

Corey Brooks, a Republican from the town of Washington, won a four-way primary that went to a runoff in August.

He now faces Democrat Mike Fullerton, a senior roadway designer from Newcastle.

Senate District 43 is currently held by Sen. Greg Childers, R-Del City. Childers was unable to run because he no longer lives within the redrawn district boundaries.

Brooks, 33, said he has been spreading the message of bringing Christian, conservative, common-sense politics to the Capitol in Oklahoma City.

“That seems to be the basis of what most of the voters here in District 43 are looking for,” Brooks said. “A moral senator who will try to do the right things whenever possible and who would be fiscally responsible with their tax dollars.”

Brooks said the recurring issues voters talk to him about during his campaign are jobs and the economy.

Fullerton said he was inspired to run for office when his son was unable to bring home an algebra book from his school in Newcastle because there weren't enough books for every student.

“As a parent, I had to fight to get that book,” Fullerton said. “That kind of sparked it.”

He said he would bring reform to the education system.

“I'd like to be known as the senator that puts kids first,” Fullerton said, suggesting that the state tap into the Rainy Day Fund — an emergency surplus maintained by the state — to fund educational needs.